YUM. | JOSH SPARKS
THRIVING ON FRESH FLAVOURS { M E E T T H E S U P E R H E A LT H Y A N D F I T E N T R E P R E N E U R W H O WA N T S Y O U T O L O O K , F E E L A N D P E R F O R M Y O U R B E S T. } Words Nicole Navarro
Josh Sparks is the founder of THR1VE, a nutritious café rapidly redefining the concept of fast food. It’s been a fast ascent for this Sydney-based entrepreneur and dad, who is originally from Brisbane but now calls beachside Manly “home”. Since his first store opening at Sydney’s MLC Food Court on Martin Place in November 2012, five more stores have opened across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Josh’s goal in the near future is to open between two and four stores per annum. And he’s not limiting the THR1VE brand to food; it’s a lifestyle brand to him, which potentially leaves open a big window of healthy opportunities. Josh, there seems to be a major awakening to fresh, healthy food and good nutrition… what do you think has brought this on? Without wanting to sound flippant about it, because I’m not, just take a look around. On the street, in the press, at schools and universities around the country, in every workplace – far too many of us have been so poorly served by health ‘authorities’, are incredibly frustrated and suffering from everything from excess weight gain to debilitating lifestyle disease, and yo-yo from one diet ‘guru’ to the next, seeking the all too elusive solution. My greatest hope, whether people decide to eat with us at THR1VE or not, is for a critical mass of us to simply try an alternative. If everything you’ve been told, and have diligently put into practice, isn’t working, what’s the